The Indians have optioned pitcher Danny Salazar to Triple-A Columbus and called up left-handed reliever Kyle Crockett from Double-A Akron.
This could be the first in a series of moves that leads to Trevor Bauer being recalled from Columbus and replacing Salazar in the starting rotation.
Salazar, who showed such promise and potential in 10 starts as a rookie last season with the Indians, has been a major disappointment this year. In eight starts, he was 1-4 with a 5.53 ERA. He has averaged just five innings and 95 pitches per start, and has given up eight home runs in 40 innings.
Crockett, 22, is the first player to make it to the major leagues of any of the players taken in the 2012 June Draft. He was a fourth-round pick by the Indians out of the University of Virginia. In 36 career relief appearances in the Tribe’s minor-league system, he has a 0.45 ERA while averaging 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
In 15 relief appearances at Akron this year, Crockett had a 0.57 ERA, having allowed one earned run on eight hits, with 17 strikeouts and three walks in 15 2/3 innings. Opposing batters hit .145 against him and left-handed hitters hit .118 against him.